The gym: a mecca for fit athletes, determined corpulentindividuals, and everyone in between. Gantcher, Tufts' pimped-outfitness center, serves numerous functions for Jumbos.
The reasons students flock to the gym range from watching thetight, flat-screen televisions that allow one to simultaneouslyview three programs at once (because we all know that a single showat a time is clearly not sufficient anymore), to meeting flawless,striking members of the opposite sex (who may perhaps notice yourrocking bod as well).
The most common uses for the gym, however, are for sportspractices, such as basketball and swimming, or other related teamactivities, like group lifts and strength and speed training.
Relieving stress --induced by a difficult exam, a horrifyingflight, or a colossal feast -- is another reason for students toflock to the mecca.
Whatever the cause of the gnawing anxiety, there is nothing likea bunch of raging endorphins to get students pumped and raring togo in the real world again in no time.
Staying fit and trim and in shape is clearly an additionalincentive for many to work out.
With an unlimited supply of food surrounding us at every corner,the excessive weekday/weekend drinking affairs, and the late-nightmunchies -- which seem to taunt and manipulate us into believingconsumption of double-layer, deep-dish pizzas with extra cheese anda side order of chicken kickers is necessary -- it is hard tomaintain any sense of a healthy well-being without venturingtowards exercise.
Even the library opened up a cafe for those too lazy to walk the"far" distance to the campus center or Jumbo Express forsnacks.
The concept of the gym as a necessity often takes a while tograsp, especially during one's first semester of college.
By senior year, however, many students realize that the effectsof consuming the entire contents of the vending machine during anall-nighter won't just mysteriously melt off as they sit in theirdorm rooms and watch television. (Unfortunately.)
If not for any other reason, the gym is a great place topeople-watch, be entertained, and perhaps meet new, able-bodiedfriends.
It may be a long walk from campus, but it's undeniably worth it.As the saying goes, "be there or be square," or in this case, "bethere or be fat."
